Arsene Wenger does not believe anyone could question Theo Walcott's commitment on the pitch as Arsenal hope to complete a deal to keep the England forward at Emirates Stadium.

Walcott's current contract runs out
in the summer, and the club have been in negotiations to close out terms on an
extension which would make Walcott among the highest-paid players at the club
with a five-year contract worth around £90,000 a week, boosted by lucrative
add-ons.

The 23-year-old has shown little
sign of the saga having a negative impact on his game, as Walcott excels in his
preferred central striker's role, netting a hat-trick in the 7-3 win over
Newcastle which made him Arsenal's top scorer with 14.

Wenger said: "One credit I
always gave him was that I could never see a difference in training or in
games, during a period that was quite difficult for him.

"I don't think it is affecting
him. When he played against Newcastle, and scored three goals, he was
completely committed.

"Everybody reacts in a
different way. Sometimes people have personal problems, they cannot play
football. Sometimes they play even better in the game because it is a moment to
forget their personal problems.

"I always thought Theo would
react well. It is in a player's interest to play (well) anyway. I expected him
to behave properly."

Wenger feels Walcott has come a long
way in recent seasons, and is now an integral part of both the Arsenal and
England set-up.

"If you compare Theo from today
with three years ago, he is a different animal," said Wenger, who rejected
suggestions Walcott had made demands over playing centrally integral to any
contract talks.

"Today he finishes in a calm
way and very accurately, (look at) the quality of his runs off the ball and the
quality of his finishing."

Wenger, though, feels Arsenal have
not seen the best of Walcott yet.

"Theo can improve of course. He
is 23, that is where usually players start their career," said Wenger. "For a striker, he is coming
into the best age now."

While not taking anything for
granted, Wenger hopes a positive end to the saga can be reached in the coming
weeks.

"We are on a good road. In this
situation as long as nothing is signed, you are cautious, but I am optimistic
we will get to a happy conclusion," he said.

"I was optimistic last week,
but I am a bit more optimistic this week. Discussions progress smoothly,
but slowly."